Baltimore Orioles rookie pitcher Kevin Gausman has not started a game since the middle of June. However, the Orioles must consider using him in the starting rotation over the last month of the season in order to help their cause in the National League Wild Card race.

Baltimore is currently two games back for a Wild Card spot and need all the help they can get. They brought the right-hander back from the minors to give the bullpen a boost of energy. In back-to-back appearances, Gausman allowed just one hit and struck out five batters in three scoreless innings.

“It was something that was kind of different for me,” Gausman, who has never pitched in consecutive outings in his professional career, told Orioles.com. “I feel good about it, but now, I can kind of expect it and kind of know that feeling and get used to it.”

Gausman has only allowed two earned runs in his last 11 2/3 innings as a reliever. He is pitching well and has recorded a win in each of his last two decisions. Even though he struggled as a starter in the beginning of the season, there is no question he has improved his performance on the mound. At this point, the Orioles must truly consider giving him a chance as a starter again to see if he can help the team clinch a postseason berth.

“His stuff plays, no matter what the whole statistical year says,” manager Buck Showalter said, according to Orioles.com. “He’s had a lot of different things he’s been challenged with, but I think it’s a good step in the process that he’s seen a lot of different levels and been in a lot of different roles and seen what this is about.”